Tom Clagett and Nancy Leiter Clagett came to Mont-Tremblant for the first time in the winter of ’41-’42; they had just married that fall. Their childhood friend Joe Ryan — impassioned by his ski resort project in Mont-Tremblant — had praised the place so much that they wanted to see it for themselves.

Like many people at that time, they arrived at the Lac Mercier station in their personal rail car where they were met by Mr. Ryan and my father Charles and driven in a sleigh to the foot of the slopes. They were, of course, impressed by the scale of the project and by their friend and his determination to bring it to fruition.

But they also fell under the spell of the region: unspoiled nature mere steps from Montréal — a burgeoning city — which was also highly accessible from the big Eastern centres of the United States. Not to mention the joie de vivre and warm welcome from the local people. This is how the Clagetts joined an international group lured by Mont-Tremblant.

Nancy Clagett glimpsed a perfect spot where her talents as an elite athlete could be in demand. As it happens, she had been selected by the American Olympic Committee — in the 8-metre sailing category — for the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin. Sadly, the sailing association decided not to send athletes, judging that the political climate in Germany was too dangerous to ensure their safety and that of their boats.

Joe Ryan was promoting a project that had everything to attract a distinguished clientele. In addition to beautiful rivers, the mountain, and clean, clear lakes, he provided original, top-class service.

The Clagetts returned to Washington where Mr. Clagett joined the navy following the American engagement in World War II. He did his naval service in Hawaii on the island of Oahu after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. At the end of the war, the couple decided to expand their family. Their daughter Judy was born in 1946 and their son Tim in 1951.

In the winter of ’54-’55, they returned to Mont- Tremblant for their second stay. Years had passed, but they still thought of the place and knew that they would be back. They chose the festive season and that Christmas they spent here sealed forever their love of our part of the country. Judy, even today, remembers chalet F that they occupied that winter, as well as during their return in the spring.

They returned every year until 1960. They understood then that, if they were coming back every year, it would be wise to build a secondary residence here. The site they chose was ideal: on Lac Tremblant, where the Quintessence hotel is now. They called their house “Sans Sabot”. The family integrated into the region and forged friendships. Not only were they here to ski in the winter, but in summer, as well, to enjoy warm weather activities.

Judy loved skiing and became an instructor for Ernie McCullough from 1964 to ’68. After that, she created — along with her great friend Corinne Whitehouse — her own ski school, Igloo Ski School. They taught only on Wednesdays in Saint-Sauveur, and only women.

In the summer, she joined a group of water skiers of which I was a member. Our little team provided demonstrations on Lac Ouimet for the Villa Bellevue, and we would pass the hat after we finished.

The family adopted Québec and our ways of life. In 1968, Judy married a Quebecker, Les McLennan, and they settled in Notre-Dame-de-Grâce where they would have two children, Stephanie in 1969 and Travis in 1971. Judy returned to the United States in 1975 where she worked in the diplomatic environment.

Nancy Leiter Clagett died in 1977 and her house, Sans Sabot, was sold in the ‘80s. But love of Tremblant brought Judy back to the region every winter. After her father died in the early 2000s, Judy had a house built close to the slopes. She and her daughter spend a large part of each winter here where they are known and appreciated for their kindness and their simplicity.

It’s the beauty of this area that first charmed the Clagetts 82 years ago and now it’s that same beauty which still charms the third generation of this family. It’s up to us, the citizens and residents, to make sure that the magic of our beautiful region continues to operate.

More from this author by clicking on his photo below.